Chapman had been held without bail since his arrest on Dec. 24, 2011, to last July, when he was released on $10,000 cash bail. The judge set conditions of his release that he wear a GPS bracelet with an intoxilyzer, submit to random drug and alcohol screens, to not drinking or take drugs and to not contact witnesses.

Chapman, 52, of 5 Groton St., Pepperell, was arrested by Pepperell police after a single-car accident near 103 Heald St. Chapman was allegedly driving drunk when the car landed on its roof on the country road, badly injuring his passenger, Chad Pillsbury.

Pillsbury was bleeding badly from his head and arm and was flown to the hospital. He told an officer that he had six or seven highballs earlier in the day.

Chapman has pleaded not guilty to operating under the influence of alcohol -- fifth offense or subsequent, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence causing serious bodily injury, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license for operating under the influence, and operating a motor vehicle after a suspended license -- subsequent offense.

Advertisement

Prosecutor Sean Casey said Chapman , whose driving record dates back to his first OUI conviction in October 1979, has had ample opportunity to kick his drinking habit.

Chapman's license was revoked in November 2007 after his last OUI conviction a month earlier.

He served a two-year prison sentence after a 1990 conviction out of Lowell, a one-year sentence ordered in Orleans District Court in 1994 and a 2 1/2- to 3-year sentence ordered in Middlesex Superior Court for the 2007 conviction.

Welcome to your discussion forum: Sign in with a Disqus account or your social networking account for your comment to be posted immediately, provided it meets the guidelines. (READ HOW.)
Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion of The Sun. So keep it civil.